Characteristic features of the Inhabitants of New Orleans and
Louisiana.--Creoles.--Anglo-Americans.--French.--Free People of
Colour.--Slaves.
At the time of the cession of Louisiana to the United States (1803),
this country with its capital was inhabited by Creoles--descendants of
French settlers. Many reasons as they may have to congratulate
themselves upon their admission into the great political Union, whether
considered in a religious or political point of view, there were,
however, several causes which contributed to render them disaffected to
the measure. This repugnance is far from being removed. The advantages
on both sides were equal, or perhaps greater on the part of the United
States. The central government and the generality of Americans behaved
towards Louisiana in a becoming manner. But there is in the character
of American freedom, especially in the deportment of an American
towards foreigners and strangers in his own country, something
repulsive. It is not the pride of a nobleman accustomed to be obeyed,
nor the natural pride of an Englishman, who carries his sulky temper
along with him, and finds fault with every thing: it is rather the pride
of an adventurer--of an upstart, who exults at his not being a runaway
himself, although the descendant of one. Louisiana immediately after its
cession, was admitted to the full enjoyment of all the advantages
connected with its prerogative, as one of the states of the Union, and
its white natives, the Creoles, were considered as citizens born of the
United States. But the moment the cession was made, crowds of needy
Yankees, and what is worse, Kentuckians, spread all over the country,
attracted by the hope of gain; the latter treating the inhabitants as
little better than a purchased property. Full of prejudice towards the
descendants of a nation, of which they knew little more than the
proverb, "French dog," they, without knowing or condescending to learn
their language, behaved towards these people as if the lands, as well as
the inhabitants, could be seized without ceremony. This was certainly
not the way of thinking, or the conduct of all the northern new comers,
there being amongst them many a useful mechanic, merchant, planter, or
lawyer; but the greater number came with a degree of presumption, which
was in an inverse ratio with their unbounded and absolute ignorance. The
creoles, with a proper sense of their own independence, naturally
retreated from the intercourse of these intruders. On the other hand,
the consequences of an oppressive colonial government, the natural
effects of an enervating and sultry climate, could not fail giving to
the character of the creoles, a certain tone of passiveness, which makes
them an object of interest. They are not capable either of violent
passions, or of strong exertions. Gentle and frugal, they abhor
drunkenness and gluttony. Their eyes are generally black; but without
fire or expression. Their countenances evince neither spirit nor
animation; they can boast of very few men of superior talents. Their
gait and figure are easy, and their colour generally pale. Though unable
to endure great hardships, they are far from being cowards, as the
events of the year 1815, and the numerous duels, sufficiently attest.
The drawbacks from their character are, an overruling passion for
frivolous amusements, an impatience of habit, a tendency for the
luxurious enjoyment of the other sex, without being very scrupulous in
their choice of either the black or the white race. Their greatest
defect, however, is their indifference towards the poor, and towards
their own slaves. They treat the former with cold contempt, and cannot
easily be induced to assist their fellow-creatures. In this respect they
are far inferior to their fellow-citizens of the north, whose example
they may follow with much advantage in many things. The Union has
already changed much, and the restless and active spirit of their
northern fellow-citizens has altered their character, which now partakes
much less of the Sybarite, than it formerly did; still, they can never
be brought to exercise a mechanical trade, which they consider as below
their dignity. The female sex of Louisiana, (the creoles), have in
general an interesting appearance. A black languishing eye, colour
rather too pale, figure of middle size, which partakes of _en bon
point_, and does not exhibit any waist, are the characteristics of the
fair sex. With a great deal of vivacity, they show, however, a proper
sense of decorum. Adultery is seldom known among the better classes,
notwithstanding the many grounds afforded to them by the infidelity of
their husbands. As wives and mothers, they are entitled to every praise;
they are more moderate in their expenses than the northern ladies, and
though always neat and elegantly dressed, they seldom go beyond
reasonable bounds. Several instances are known of their having displayed
a high degree of fortitude. In sickness and danger, they are the
inseparable assistants and companions of their husbands. In literary
education, however, they are extremely deficient; and nothing can be
more tiresome than a literary _tête a tête_ with a Creole lady. They
receive their education in the convent of the Ursalines, where they
learn reading, writing, some female works, and the piano-forte. It is
superfluous to observe, being descendants from the French, that they
are the best dancers in the United States. Americans from other parts of
the Union, may be considered as constituting about three-eighths of the
present population of the state, and of New Orleans. Brother Jonathan is
to be found in all parts of the Union, and properly speaking, nowhere at
home. After having settled in one place, at the distance of 1000 miles
from his late residence, cleared lands, reared houses, farms, &c., he
leaves his spot as soon as a better chance seems to offer itself. He is
an adventurer, who would as soon remove to Mexico, or New South Wales,
provided he could "make money" by the change. Most of those who settled
in Louisiana grew wealthy either as planters or merchants, and really
the wealthiest families of Louisiana are at present Americans from other
parts of the Union, who likewise hold the most important public
stations. The governors, as well as the members of congress, and
senators, have hitherto been Americans, from the very natural reason,
that the creoles could not speak the English language, although some
important offices are filled by the latter. Nothing can exceed or
surpass the suppleness of the Yankey; and the refined Frenchmen, with
all their dexterity, may still profit from them and their kindred.
The emigrant French are numerous in New Orleans. Among them are many
very respectable merchants, some lawyers, physicians, &c., the greater
part, however, consists of adventurers, hair-dressers, dancing-masters,
performers, musicians, and the like. The French are of all men the least
valuable acquisition for a new state. Of a lavish and wanton temper,
they spend their time in trifles, which are of no importance to any but
themselves. Dancing, fighting, riding, and love-making, are the daily
occupation of these people. Their influence on a new and unsettled
state, whose inhabitants have no correct opinion of true politeness and
manners, is far from being advantageous. Without either religion,
morality, or even education, they pretend to be the leaders of the _bon
ton_, because they came from Paris, and they in general succeed. As for
religion and principles, except a sort of _point d'honneur_, they are
certainly a most contemptible set, and greatly contribute to promote
immorality. There are a great number of Germans in New Orleans. These
people, without being possessed of the smallest resources, embarked
eight or ten years ago, and after having lost one-half, or three-parts
of their comrades during the passage, they were sold as white slaves, or
as they are called, Redemptioners, the moment of their arrival. Thus
mixed with the negroes in the same kind of labour, they experience no
more consideration than the latter; and their conduct certainly deserves
no better treatment. Those who did not escape, were driven away by their
masters for their immoderate drinking; and all, with few exceptions,
were glad to get rid of such dregs. The watchmen and lamp-lighters are
Germans, and hundreds of these people fell victims to the fever, between
the years 1814 and 1822. The rest of the white population consists of
English, Irish, Spaniards, and some Italians, amongst whom are several
respectable houses.
The free people of colour consist of emancipated slaves; but chiefly of
the offspring of an intercourse between the whites and blacks, the
cause of which is to be sought in the nature of the climate, where
sensual passions are so easily excited. Of these descendants, the
females in particular are very handsome, and generally destined for the
gratification of the wealthier class of the French and the creoles, as
their mothers had been before them. The American seldom or never
indulges in such unrestrained pleasures. He usually marries early, and
remains faithful to his wife. Of a more steady and religious turn, he
pays strict attention to decorum and appearances, with certain isolated
exceptions of course; but in general he is more solicitous and careful
of his public character than the Frenchman, or foreigner, who has seldom
any reputation to lose.
The negroes form the lowest class. There are certainly found some
amongst them who are entitled to praise for their honesty and fidelity
towards their masters; but thousands, on the other hand, will exhibit
the vicious nature of a debased and slavish character. There is no
doubt, that a malignant and cruel disposition characterises, more or
less, this black race. Whether it be inborn, or the result of slavery, I
leave to others to decide.
All that can be said in favour of emancipation, may be reduced in the
compass of these few words: In the present state of things, if the
general cultivation of Louisiana, and the southern states, is to proceed
successfully, emancipation is impossible. In this climate, no white
person could stand the labour; the act of emancipation itself,
treacherous and barbarous as the slaves are, would subject their former
masters to certain destruction and death. We are, indeed, very far
behind hand in the study of the human character, and of the different
gradations of the human species. Unjust, as it assuredly was, to traffic
in fellow-creatures, as though they were so many heads of cattle, it is
equally unjust now to infringe upon a property which has been
transmitted from generation to generation, and which time has
sanctioned, without adopting some method of public compensation. All
that should be required is, that the slaves be treated with humanity--a
law might be enacted to that effect. The slaves will then be improved,
and become ripe for a state of emancipation, which may be granted at a
future period, without danger or inconvenience to their masters.
It is, however, to be regretted, that the slave population of Louisiana
are not so well treated as in the north. The cupidity of their masters,
and their solicitude to make a rapid fortune, subject those poor
wretches to an oppressive labour, which they are hardly able to endure.
They revolted in Louisiana on three occasions, and several white persons
fell victims to their vengeance; they were, however, easily subdued, and
the example set by the executions, contributed to restore tranquillity.
It is impossible to form an idea of the degree of jealousy with which
the southern population watch and defend their rights, touching this
point. A question upon the right of a slave, as a human being, is almost
one of life and death; and lawyers, whenever they presume to defend
slaves, and to hint at their rights, are in imminent danger of being
stoned like Jews. Not long ago, a gentleman of the bar, Mr. D--e, was
very near meeting this fate.